Go aids Bulacan typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines — In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Egay, Sen. Bong Go reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen disaster resilience efforts as his office assisted victims in Hagonoy, Guiguinto and San Miguel in Bulacan last Friday. 

Go’s team provided food packs to 1,700 residents in three towns, where a majority of barangays are flooded.

Earlier, Go filed Senate Bill 188 or the DDR Bill, which seeks to establish a specialized agency focused on disaster risk reduction and management.

Go said the creation of a dedicated department for disaster resilience would not only improve coordination, but will also provide and institutionalized mechanism in responding to disasters with clearer mandate, authority, expertise and resources. 

The Office of Civil Defense has expressed support for the creation of the DDR, saying such institution is vital in improving operations in managing and responding to future disasters.

Go emphasized the importance of SBN 193 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Bill, which mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in areas prone to natural disasters.

“By making evacuation centers mandatory, the bill seeks to prevent loss of life and minimize the adverse effects of calamities on affected populations,” Go said. 

As chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, Go urged typhoon victims to utilize the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City.

Malasakit Centers bring together agencies such as the departments of social welfare and development, and health as well as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to make the process of availing of health assistance easier.

The one-stop shop helps reduce to the lowest amount possible the hospital bills of poor patients.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Center Program.